4th of July Plans?

Well, the 4th of July falls on Thursday this year. So if you take off Friday, it gives you a four-day weekend! What are your plans for the 4th?

I really only have a 3-day weekend since my mom's birthday is Thursday (yes, she is a Yankee Doodle Dandy) which means the 4th is spent with her which I don't mind. She's lovely! But after that I need suggestions.....it is really hot here and I'm feeling uninspired.

Re: 4th of July Plans?

That is too funny about the toothpaste! I knew there was something odd about that shade of blue. I would definitely try a different blue. I'll have to look for sprinkles and try to match them or just go red and white sprinkles with blue icing and cake. I think it will be fun to try. Oh, and put those sparkler candles on top!

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Ooh, sparklers would be perfect! If you have a baking supply store around you they usually sell dark blue coloring or I believe the cake decorating area of walmart even can have some options. Craft stores like Michael's are a good place to look too if you want to do a dark blue cake or icing. If they don't have a blue dark enough you can add tiny amounts of black until you get the color you want. Whatever you end up doing I hope it turns out well and tastes amazing!

Re: 4th of July Plans?

They do look yummy! I usually make my mom a birthday cake decorated like the one above since it's the 4th. I bake a yellow cake mix in a 9 X 13 pan. While it's warm, poke holes in the cake with a fork and pour sweetened condensed milk over it. Let it cool, cover with whipped topping and decorate with blueberries and strawberries like a flag.

I may try to recreate the cake on the bottom for something different this year. It doesn't look too hard, just a bundt pan and food coloring. Thanks for posting pics!

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If you do try the bottom one I recommend getting gel food coloring and not the liquid drops as the color is much more concentrated. I don't know if you have done these before, if so then ignore me, but it can be the difference between this

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Yes, I use Wilton's gel food coloring, but it would take a lot to get colors as sharp as the bottom cake. I also don't think I could cut those layers that perfect, even after freezing my layers and cutting them. It is pretty though. Looks like everyone enjoyed the cake on top though!

Re: 4th of July Plans?

Wilton's is what I go with for sure! You do have to add more than you would for icing but I have made a rainbow cake like this and it did turn out that bright! I must admit my layers were not that perfect though. But if you don't cut your whole cake in half for a picture it's less obvious. Those are thick layers too, I've made this recipe below with 3 x 9" circles cut into halves. The homemade espresso toffee on top and crumbled between the layers makes it amazing!

I can't wait to be able to bake again. All I have at the moment is a toaster oven and no cake pans.

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Totally enabling BAKING here (amazing it's not make up this time ), but if you Google "Microwave mug cakes" it pulls up a site called Number 2 Pencils and it contains 30 recipes where you microwave baked goods in mugs for perfect mini portions and to get baked goodies without cake bans or even an oven! They have cheesecakes, chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter, sugar cookie, almond cake, and all sorts!

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You're welcome! I have to STOP myself from making these because my mind just goes "C'mooooon, it's just ONE mug!!!!" But then I realize I would make mug after mug after mug....you see where I'm going with this!

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My family never plans until the day of! But every year everyone comes over and someone BBQ's and we go watch some fireworks! And the very next day is my Birthday!! I will most likely go to the movies this weekend since its soo hot!